Disclaimer: Gravi does not belong to me, unfortunately

Author's notes: I'm really really really sorry 'bout the whole late update thing. School's been hectic lately so.. I'm sure most of you guys are familiar with the stress I'm going through. But, no worries. Don't fret. As long as I'm still alive, the fic will go on. For those with a short memory span, "..." = dialogue, '...' = thoughts and italics = flashbacks. Enjoy

Surprise Surprise

After paying the bill, they finally exited the cafe serenaded by glares from at least half of the women in the cafe. Mika smirked and ignored the glares that bore holes at the back of her head.

"Listen Mika, the reason I'm here is to offer you a ..."

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Mika tapped her foot impatiently as she waited for the guys they were suppose to date. "Not very punctual are they?" Mika stated rather than asked as she smirked away in a very satisfied manner. "Well, shall we go then?" Mika asked, her voice laced with hopefulness. "But Mika..." Miyame Yuko whined. "It's only one past seven... besides, the movie starts in 29 minutes. He'll come by that time." Miyame continued.

Mika huffed as she glared at her 'friend'. Even being around her, embarrassed Mika due to the outfit she sported. Mika studied Miyame from the top of her multicoloured hair streaks to the thick make-up, gaudy choker and matching earrings, a piece of fabric covering her body which would barely pass off as a handkerchief, camouflaged army micromini skirt, knee-high stockings which were convieniently mismatched and finally, chunky platform pumps.

A dark sillhoutte blocked the breathtaking sunset taking place in front of them. Miyame waved enthusiastically at the figure.

"Hallo!!!!" the figure screamed. Mika restrained the urge to cover her ears as the scream was loud enough to shatter glass.

"Mika-san, this is Ryuichi Sakuma!!!" Miyame spoke while pointing towards the figure who was already in arms reach. "He's in a band called Nittle Grasper. Oh my god, isn't it great. You're music is sooo......". From that moment, Mika shunted herself from the droning of raw, sweet flattery and eye-glaring admiration.

"Where's youre friend?" Mika interrupted.

Ryuichi smiled a funny, dopey litle smile while taking out something from the inside of his leather jacket..... something pink, something fluffy...

"Ta-da!!" A pink stuffed bunny was immediately shoved in Mika's face. "This is Kumagorou na no da..... he's my friend na no da." Ryuichi said animatedly. Mika stared blindly at the stuffed toy as Ryuichi held it close to his ear. "Kumagorou said that you're very pretty."

"I'm dating a stuffed toy??!!" Mika asked in shock. Ryuichi immediately clamped Kumagorou's ears shut. Ryuchi glared with puppy-dog-eyes. "Don't say that na no da!"

Miyame stood in between of them while giving her the 'look'. The look that plainly said Mika-don't-ruin-my-first-date-with-this-hot-guy-or-it's-gonna-be-hell-for-you.

Usually, Mika didn't care but today she seemed off and didn't bother arguing. Instead, she just sighed. Miyame's eyes lit up like high power flashlights on steroids. 'Maybe you're going soft?' Mika mused with much disappointment.

"Oh!" Miyame exclaimed. The other two looked at her. "Mika, this is Ryuichi Sakuma" Ryuichi extended his hand towards her. Mika suddenly remembered her encounter with a similar situation and took his hands in hers.

Ryuichi's eyes widened for awhile. "Not many people in Japan know of that custom na no da. But how did yo -" Ryuichi was cut off mid-sentence. "Someone er.... thought me."Mika replied, flashes of Tohma Seguchi's features appeared in her mind.

Miyame cleared her throat rather loudly. The pair turned their heads towards her. "Like I was saying, Mika, this is Ryuichi Sakuma." She paused as the two nodded at each other. "And this," Miyame gestured towards Mika "is Mika Uesugi."

Ryuichi's eyes widened slightly then narrowed suspiciously. "Uesugi-san.." His voice laced with childlike happiness moments ago was replaced by one filled with seriousness and a tinge of malice. "You don't happen to know a Tohma Seguchi do you?"

Mika gaped at him with shock. 'How did he know Toh- i mean Seguchi-san?' she thought silently. Apparently, Mika's shocked features were enough of an answer as Mika stayed silent.

Ryuichi's eyes narrowed even more and his face took a whole different persona. Ryuichi's eyes were filled with nothing other than pure hatred."You don't happen to be betrothed to him, are you?!!" Ryuichi exclaimed. Mika clamped her mouth shut. 'How did he know?!!' Mika thought angrily, demanding for an answer. A lightbulb flickered in her overworked brain.

"I'm sorry Miyame, but I have to go." Mika ran away before she even received an answer. She never looked back and just ran in heels like there was no tomorrow.

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"a job." Akira continued. 'Rats.. he could have made a better second husband instead of .....' the voice in Mika's head droned away in disappointment. Mika stared at him, waiting for the shock to seep in and asked, "What?!!".

"Sorry, it took so long to inform you but I wasn't really sure of you're capabilities."

"Because I'm a woman?" Mika said skeptically.

Akira scratched his head and grinned sheepishly. "Kinda"

"But I don't remember applying for a job." Mika stated.

"Oh, you didn't. Mr. Matsumoto wanted you to be in-charge of the place. He listed it in his will along with a few things. Including the part about owning the place."

"Will? You mean- he past away?" Mika stuttered in shock, remembering the kind bartender she used to visit often before her marriage.

"I'm afraid so." Akira sighed. "He wanted you to take care of the place as long as either one of us lives."

"So... you're gonna be like... my superior. My boss?" Mika asked

"Well, technically you're the boss. I just own the place." Akira paused for a moment. "But you still have to consult me regarding a few matters."

Mika stared openly at him. Shock still trying to seep through. 'What will Tohma think?' she thought.

"Isn't the bar in Kyoto?" Mika asked all of a sudden.

"Don't be silly. That closed months ago. People of the Shinto faith didn't drink much so he opened a new one in the heart of Tokyo itself."

'Who cares what Tohma thinks!!' the small voice in her head screamed. 'Maybe... I do' Mika replied mentally.

"Sure, why not." Mika said suddenly. Her eyes widened for a millisecond. Apparently, Mika's brain-to-mouth coordination wasn't working too well due to the fact that she was actually suppose to say 'I'll think about it.'

Mika mentally slapped, smacked and spanked herself. 'The whole different-persona-voice-in-the-head thing must be affecting my brain..' Mika thought. 'Now I really know how poor Ryuichi must feel.'

"Great! I'll get you informed on the other things tomorrow. Same place, same time." Akira said happily. Obviously seething with joy, he brought Mika into a tight embrace. Tight and close enough to smell the scent of shampoo in his hair and traces of his smir- I mean smile on Mika's shoulder.

And so, they stood for at least 30 seconds in the same position right in front of an apartment building.

In a dark lurking corner, a pair of mysterious eyes were watching

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More author's notes: So.... whatcha think??!!! *hops around on one foot while doing a victory dance* '^_^'. I don't think this chapter carried too much info other than the fact that I made Ryuichi gay. Well, so much for Ryuichi being bisexual and all. So, the question still remains... (what was the question in the first place?). Stay tuned to find out!

PS: Don't forget to review! A special thanks to all the nice and kind people who reviewed this fic and my muse, Dark Muse-y. You know who you are!